Chapter 22: The Little Girl (1)
The rest of the day went by calmly with no further quarrel or arguments. The tension surrounding the Duke’s mansion eventually lessened, to Frederick’s relief. At the end of it, he finally called the family to have their breakfasts in the dining room.
Juliana had stepped out to attend an important event with Richard, using it as an opportunity to come up with some story about how Cassian got married for the people to hear and finally drop the matter. Juliana’s sons stayed behind to have their lunch before taking their leave as well.
Madeline dutifully stayed by Cassian’s side like she had promised and carefully attended to his health.
Removing the towel from his forehead. She placed her palm there to feel his temperature, and to her relief, his fever has subsided greatly.
"Ahh, thank goodness." Her tensed body was able to relax after confirming he’d be alright. She wouldn’t have been able to forgive herself if something worse decided to happen to him. The soup and the medicine did a good job in healing him faster than she thought it would, and she couldn’t be more grateful to Inna who brought them at the right time.
The curtains in her room were closed, and only the lamp light on the side table illuminated over Cassian’s sleepy face. Instantly drawn by Cas’s good-looks, Madeline sank to the ground and propped herself by placing both arms at the edge of the bed. She watched his face, using the opportunity she had to study him up close.
"Such flawless skin." Her index finger trailed the side of his face, feeling the texture of his smooth skin against the tip of her fingers. "Lovely lashes," her fingers gently brushed against the tip of his long dark lashes, and his lips, they were baby pink, looking alluring enough to make one daydream about what they shouldn’t.
She’s heard rumors of what a fine man Lord Cassian is. Even if the newspaper headline always catches him doing something out of line, the people of Carmarthen easily get distracted by his profile, and now, she doesn’t blame them for it.
Afraid he might wake up if she kept touching him, she withdrew her fingers and quickly got to her feet.
Once he wakes up, she’ll tell him everything concerning her childhood trauma. It would be very embarrassing for him to wake up one sudden night and find her sleepwalking, so before it happens, she’ll have to tell him about her disorder.
Already starting to feel the heat from the room, Madeline made her way to the window, shifting aside the white curtains and opening the window to let the sweet natural breeze of Carmarthen fill the room.